Photo Record

Catalog Number

WF 2091

Caption

Wedding at opening of March's Point airfield

Description

An "airplane" marriage took place between Richard Fenno and Minnie Kirkman, who exchanged vows during takeoff at the March's Point airfield. Their best man is perched on the edge of cockpit at left. The minister (?) is to the right. The biplane was flown by Bergen-Bromley Flying Service, and R. N. Bergen's name is painted near the cockpit.

WF 2074-2099 represent more than just the history of a small airfield and the inauguration of air service to Fidalgo Island. They also signify the island's participation in the global phenomenon ignited by Charles Lindbergh's historic transatlantic flight in May 1927. The first "flight" from march's Point, the first area of white settlement on Fidalgo seventy-five years earlier, had taken place almost forty years before. The 9-14-1889 ANACORTES PROGRESS reported, "Professor Carey gave a talk on astronomy at Munk's Hall. Sent up a hot air balloon: quite a success: Rose up 2000' and went to northeast ... came down on Reservation." The 6-14-1928 ANACORTES AMERICAN reported that the Kiwanis Club had leased land from Fred March for a 2000' airstrip. The 8-2-1928 issue reported on the airfield's inauguration. 10,000 spectators attended the event and witnessed planes fly in from the Puget Sound region. The airport was the result of Anacortes Civic Club's year-long efforts to establish an airport on March's Point and thus be at the forefront of the changes brought by air travel which reshaped the regional economy.